1 Samuel 5:12

Amharic Tigrinya 2011

እቶም ዘይሞቱ ሰባት ድማ ሕበጥ ወቕዖም፡ ብኽያት እታ ኸተማ ኸኣ ክሳዕ ሰማይ ደየበ።

What Does This Mean?

This verse describes the people of Ashdod who were suffering from a disease called emerods, which are painful swellings. The city was filled with cries of pain that reached up to heaven. It shows the consequences of keeping the Ark of the Lord.

Explained for Children

Imagine if everyone in your town got really big, sore bumps and couldn't stop crying because of the pain. That's what happened to the people in Ashdod when they tried to keep something that didn't belong to them.

Historical Background

1 Samuel was written by the prophet Samuel, Gad, and Nathan. This part is set around the 11th century BC. It describes the Philistines in Ashdod who were punished after capturing the Ark of the Lord from the Israelites.

Living It Out Today

In today's context, this story reminds us of the importance of respecting others' property and not taking what isn't ours. It also shows that there can be consequences for our actions, even if we don't see them immediately.

Topics

• punishment
• consequences
• respect
• property
• worship

Related Verses

• Exodus 12:12
• Joshua 7:21-24
• 1 Samuel 6:4-5
• Psalm 78:61
• Matthew 25:41

Frequently Asked Questions

What are emerods?

Emerods are painful swellings or boils, often in the groin area, caused by an infection. In this context, they were a divine punishment for the Philistines.

Why did the people of Ashdod suffer?

The people of Ashdod suffered because they had captured and kept the Ark of the Lord, which was a sacred object of the Israelites, and it was not meant to be in their possession.

How does this relate to modern life?

This story teaches us about the importance of respecting others' property and the potential consequences of taking something that isn't ours, emphasizing the need to act with integrity.

What can we learn about divine punishment from this verse?

This verse suggests that divine punishment can come in unexpected forms and that it is often a response to actions that go against divine or moral laws.